Book-Holding Device

ABSTRACT

A book-holding device is disclosed. The book-holding device is an elegant, compact, portable and enjoyable way to hold a book that provides a user greater freedom to find and enjoy a comfortable reading position. The book-holding device comprises the following elements: a handle, a spine-holder, a binding strap, a pair of arms, and a spring-loaded wire connected to each of the pair or arms. The top of handle is rigidly connected to the top of spine holder. The spine-holder has a ledge at the bottom. One end of the binding strap is connected to the ledge. The other end of the binding strap has a knob that can be releasably connected to the top of the spine-holder. The pair of arms are rotatably connected to a middle of the spine-holder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to copending US provisionalapplication tentitled “Book-Holding Device,” having Ser. No. 60/720,105,filed on Sep. 22, 2005.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to devices that hold books, andmore specifically to book-holding devices that are suitable to be heldin one hand.

BACKGROUND

Anyone who has read a book has experienced some kind of fatigue afterreading for a period of time: hand fatigue, arm fatigue, neck fatigue,back fatigue, etc. Similarly, it is often difficult to find acomfortable reading position while holding a book's pages open by hand.

Other book holders exist. But those book holders tend to be heavy and/orcumbersome, which makes them difficult or impossible to hold by hand. Noknown book holders disclose the aspects of the current invention.

SUMMARY

The invention summary that follows is only for purposes of introducingembodiments of the invention. The ultimate scope of the invention is tobe limited only by the claims that follow the specification.

The invention is summarized as an elegant, compact, portable andenjoyable way to hold a book that provides a user greater freedom tofind and enjoy a comfortable reading position. More specifically, thebook-holding device comprises the following elements: a handle, aspine-holder, a binding strap, a pair of arms, and a spring-loaded wireconnected to each of the pair or arms. The top of the handle is rigidlyconnected to the top of the spine holder. The spine-holder has a ledgeat the bottom. One end of the binding strap is connected to the ledge.The other end of the binding strap has a knob that can be releasablyconnected to the top of the spine-holder. The pair of arms are rotatablyconnected to a middle of the spine-holder.

To use the book-holding device, the spine of a book is placed on thespine-holder, with the bottom of the book's spine resting on the bottomledge. The book is then opened approximately in the middle and theelastic binding strap is pulled over the top of book and releaseablyconnected to a receiving slot at the top of the spine-holder. The pagesof the book are supported by the pair of arms below and the pages areheld in place by the spring loaded wire on the top. With areasonably-sized book attached, the book-holding device can be held inone hand by gripping the handle. Alternatively, the book-holding devicecan be placed on the base unit for hands-free viewing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a comfortable way tohold a book under almost any circumstance: in bed, at the table,sitting, standing, traveling or studying.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hands-free way tohold a book.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice with foldable, extendable arms, along with the custom-designed,spring-loaded, page holders to firmly hold the pages while stillallowing for easy page turning.

It is an object of the present invention to allow a reader to raise hisreading material to eye level while hands and shoulders remain relaxed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sleek, simple, yetstylish design that can also hold a book open for display purposes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice that is lightweight—preferably less than ⅓ lb.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for holdingsheet music.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice with an ergonomic, telescopic handle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice suitable for use by older users, those who suffer from arthritis,or anyone else who has a condition that would make holding a bookdifficult.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice that is portable, foldable and durable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice that allows the reader to remain comfortable, even when readingfor long periods.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice that allows for hands-free reading, while also light enough to beheld in one hand.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice than can be used as a typing stand.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice that would make an elegant display with or without a bookmounted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holdingdevice that includes a universal clamp that allows the book-holdingdevice to be mounted on most any objects, such as an exercise bike,treadmill, countertop, etc.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its structure and its operation togetherwith the additional object and advantages thereof will best beunderstood from the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words andphrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art orarts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification willspecifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word orphrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in theDescription of the Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate adesire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 todefine the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s),the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for”and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure,material, or act in support of the function.

Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 areinvoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions notbe limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that aredescribed in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any andall structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function,along with any and all known or later developed equivalent structures,materials, or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the book-holdingdevice 5.

FIG. 2 shows a different perspective view of an embodiment of thebook-holding device 5.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5holding a book.

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5holding a book.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5with the pair of arms rotated toward a closed position.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5with the pair of arms rotated toward a closed position.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5with the pair of arms rotated toward a closed position and where thepair of arms can be optionally extended.

FIG. 8 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5with the pair of arms rotated toward a closed position and where thehandle can be optionally extended.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a base unit.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The descriptions that follow are intended to aid in the understandingbut not limit the actual scope of the invention. It is to be understoodthat the descriptions below are merely illustrative of the presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations areintended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other thanas defined in the appended claims. The descriptions that follow describethe intended and preferred use of each embodiment of the book-holdingdevice.

The preferred embodiment of the book-holding device 5 comprises a handle10, a spine-holder 20, a binding strap 30, a pair of arms 40, and aspring-loaded wire 50 connected to each of the pair or arms 40. Thehandle 10 further comprises a top end 12. The spine-holder 20 furthercomprises a top 22 and bottom. The top 22 of the spine-holder 20 furthercomprises a first receiver 24 and a second receiver 26 and the bottomfurther comprises a bottom ledge 28. The first receiver 24 receives thetop end 12 of the handle 10 to form a rigid connection between thehandle 10 and the spine-holder 20.

It is preferred that the binding strap 30 be elastic. The binding strap30 further comprises a first end 32 and a second end 34. The first end32 is connected to the bottom ledge 28. The second end 34 is connectedto a knob 36.

It is preferred that the pair of arms 40 be rotatably connected to amiddle 24 of the spine-holder 20 and that the pair of arms 40 beextendable. This can be accomplished by constructing the pair of armsfrom square tube metal and inserting a smaller size square tube into thepair of arms 40 to serve as an extension arm 42. It is preferred toconnect beads 52 to the ends of each spring-loaded wire 50.

It is also preferred that the handle 10 have a telescoping end 14 sothat the length of the handle can vary. It is preferred that thetelescoping end 14 be able to be locked in place by a knurled nut 16.The knurled nut 16 can be loosened to extend or retract to the desiredposition, then lightly tightened to hold in desired position. It is alsopreferred that the handle 10 have a comfort grip 14.

An alternate embodiment of the book-holding device includes a base unit60. The base unit can be made from plastic and be releasably connectedto a bottom of the handle 10 as shown in FIG. 3 and 4. In anotheralternative embodiment, the book-holding device includes a universalclamp that allows the book-holding device to be mounted on most anyobject, such as an exercise bike, treadmill, or countertop.

It is preferred to use the book-holding device 5 when reading paperbackbooks or small to midsize hardcover books. For the embodiment shown inthe attached drawings, it is preferred that the book being held weigh nomore than 1.5 lbs and that the book height not exceed 10 inches.

The preferred steps to use the book-holding device 5 are as follows.First, place a book 70 on the book-holding device 5 with the book's 70spine resting on the spine-holder 20. Next, open the book 70 to theapproximate center page and pull the binding strap 30 over the book 70and secure the knob 36 in the second receiver 26, located on the top 22.Then, with the pair of arms 40 in the horizontal position as shown inFIG. 3 and 4, extend the extension arms 42 ends out and place the twobeads 52 on the pages desired for reading. It is preferred to use theextension arms 42 to position the beads 52 about 1″ to 1 ½″ in from theedge of the page. If difficulty is encountered when turning the page, itis suggested that the beads should be manually adjusted outward.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference toone or more particular preferred embodiments, persons possessingordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains willappreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.For example, accessories such as a light, a shade or a magnifier couldbe added to the book-holding device 5 for additional functionality.

1. A book-holding device comprising a handle, a spine-holder, a bindingstrap, a pair of arms, and a spring-loaded wire connected to each of thepair or arms, the handle further comprises a top end, the spine-holderfurther comprises a top and bottom, the top of the spine-holder furthercomprises a first receiver and a second receiver and the bottom furthercomprises a ledge, the first receiver receives the top end of the handleto form a rigid connection between the handle and the spine-holder, thebinding strap further comprises a first end and a second end, the firstend is connected to the bottom ledge, the second end is connected to aknob, and the pair of arms rotatably connected to a middle of thespine-holder.
 2. The book-holding device of claim 1 wherein the handleis extendable.
 3. The book-holding device of claim 1 wherein the handlehas a comfort grip.
 4. The book-holding device of claim 1 wherein thepair of arms are extendable.
 5. The book-holding device of claim 1further comprising a base unit, wherein the base unit can be releasablyconnected to a bottom of the handle.
 6. The book-holding device of claim1 further comprising a bead connected to the ends of the spring-loadedwires.